UPLAND SHOOTING. 217 



as might have been expected, it has been demonstrated by 

 g')()d sportsmen, that Cock can be killed over Setters — Spaniels 

 Would (loubtl'ss be yet preferable — in those states as else- 

 wlicic, and the correct, legitimate and : portsmanlike method of 

 huutiiiir lliciii with dogs is, of consequence, coming into vogue, 

 soon, I doubt not, entirely to supersede the " Fire-hunting" 

 system, which although it may be good fun enough, for once or 

 twice, can only be regarded as a species of poaching, or pot- 

 hunting ; palliated or perhaps in some sort legitimatized by 

 the necessities of the case. 



Throughout this region, as I have said, during the day this 

 more than half nocturnal bird is not to be seen at all without the 

 confines of the dense and tangled brakes on the edges of the 

 deep bayous and morasses, never flying abroad into the open, 

 and contenting itself with nibbling the mud, and picking up a 

 little chance food in its lurking places. 



No sooner is it dark, however, than out the Woodcocks come 

 by thousands from their fastnesses, and, pitching down on all 

 sides in the old fields and maize-stubbles, apply themselves to 

 nibbling and boring in the soft, rich loam for their succulent 

 worm-diet. 



Hereupon the fire-hunt commences — with gun and game-bag, 

 powder-flask and shot-pouch, and all appliances and means 

 sccufidum artem, the sportsman sallies forth ; but no silky-haired, 

 high-strung, sagacious Setter, no satin-skinned, rat-tailed, obe- 

 dient Pointer follows his master's heel. In lieu of Don or 

 Sancho, an old, crafty, grizzle-pated, meny negro, comes forth, 

 equipped with the brazen vessel of a warming-pan, or the like 

 instrument, set erect on a pole of some ten or twelve feet in 

 length, filled with light wood, pine knots, or such like bright, 

 burning combustibles. 



Arrived on the feeding ground, a light is applied ; the quick 

 fuel sends out a broad, ruddy glare ; and, as the bearer slowly 

 circumambulates the field, a circle of intense lustre is shed for 

 ten yards around him. rendering every object more clearly 

 visible than at noon-dav. The shooter walks close to the fire- 



